Centrilift Opens First Repair Center in Russia

A repair center for electrical submersible pump (ESP) systems has opened in the town of Muravlenko in Russia's Yamal-Nenets Autonomous District as part of the ongoing strategic partnership between Sibneft and Centrilift. The center is Russia's first such facility opened by a Western ESP manufacturer, providing quality repair services that meet the best international standards.

In 2005, the facility will expand to become a full-scale Centrilift service center offering delivery, installation and servicing of pumping systems for Sibneft, along with pump repair work for all Russian oil companies. The center may later serve as a base for the establishment of a pump manufacturing assembly line.

Sibneft's operating subsidiaries began their association with Centrilift, a subsidiary of oilfield services firm Baker Hughes, in 1992. Since that time, Centrilift has delivered over 1700 complete pumping systems. About 500 Centrilift ESPs are currently operating on Sibneft's fields, a number set to rise to 800 by the end of this year.